WHEREAS, experts agree that nutrition status is a direct measure of health and that good nutrition can keep people healthy and out of health care institutions; and

WHEREAS, inadequate or unbalanced nutrition, known as malnutrition, is prevalent in many groups, including vulnerable populations such as hospitalized patients and minority populations, with older adults in particular having the highest rate of malnutrition compared to other groups; and 

WHEREAS, illness, injury, and malnutrition can result in the loss of lean body mass, leading to complications that impact good patient health outcomes, including recovery from surgery, illness, or disease;

WHEREAS, malnutrition is exacerbated by the global COVID-19 health pandemic, which has intensified disparities and is further compounded by food insecurity; and

WHEREAS, Nevada is set to rank eighth nationally for projected food insecurity in 2020, increasing the need for nutrition services, screenings, and interventions; and

WHEREAS, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services’ Nutrition Unit and the Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Division are working to address this concern, serving Nevadans in need through enhancing cross-sectional collaboration to address and resolve gaps in nutrition services and programming; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEVE SISOLAK, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim the week of October 5 - 9, 2020

MALNUTRITION AWARENESS WEEK IN NEVADA